THE Post and East Hampshire District Council have combined to launch a campaign aimed at encouraging people to shop local wherever they live in the area.

As well as trying to help shops, hospitality outlets and market stall holders stay in business, the Stay Safe, Shop Local initiative is also about showing support for them, as many have taken an unprecedented financial hit during lockdown and are struggling to recover.

A good Christmas will be vital to their survival, so let’s use them and not lose them!

In a call to arms, council leader Richard Millard is urging people to support the campaign and Stay Safe, Shop Local.

He said: “This is the most important time of year for the retail and hospitality industries in a year that has been the hardest in living memory.

“The reality is many of our high street shops need our support if they are to continue to thrive.

“Christmas is so often a make-or-break period, and so East Hampshire District Council and the Post have joined forces to give our town centres across the district a boost.

“Together we will give businesses the chance to shout about what’s good, what offers they have got and invite them to sign up to the campaign.

“Our businesses have been working hard so they are safe and welcoming and we can shop in comfort and security.

“Independent shops provide the unique environment in our town centres that we treasure.

“But if we want strong town centres, we must use them -- or we will lose them.

“So please support our Stay Safe, Shop Local campaign and give our town centres the important boost they desperately need -- the sooner we can get the high streets buzzing again the better!”

Post and Herald series editor Colin Shannon added: “We are delighted to be joining forces with East Hampshire District Council to encourage everyone to shop local this Christmas.

“After such a bleak year – and local newspapers have been hit badly to – local traders need our support more than ever.

“Yes, it may be easy to order goods online – especially when the TV is full of the latest news about how the virus is stubbornly refusing to go away.

“But if you want a new shirt, new shoes, a dress, fruit or veg, a meal out, nothing can beat actually shopping and at the same time enjoying our café’s, coffee shops, pubs and restaurants.

“If we don’t support our local independent shops and businesses now, we rick losing them.

“In the coming weeks, we will be focusing on some of those traders.

“They’ll be talking about what they have to offer, and explain why it is safe to go into their shop, and the measures they are taking to ensure life can be as normal as possible.

“We can’t imagine town centres without the local, independent shops that make them all so different.

“Let’s all do our best to keep them that way.

“We’ll have some special offers for Post readers too, to tempt them to the shops.

“So please keep an eye on your Post in the coming weeks to help together ensure our high streets survive.”

Stay Safe, Shop Local, will cover Petersfield, Alton, Bordon, Clanfield, Horndean, Liphook, Liss and the villages. If you own, or run, a shop, cafe, pub, restaurant or market stall, please email a picture and few words about it to [email protected] to go in the Post and online for free. Or contact him on 07870 803561.